Unit 1
Name these three major issues that kept the Articles of Confederation from being successful
Government couldn't collect tax, no army, government was in debt from war
Who is in charge of the House?
Who is in charge of the Senate?
House = Speaker of the House
Senate = Vice President / Majority Leader (President Pro Tempore)
The 10th Amendment is important because...
It gives powers to states for everything the federal government does not have enumerated/implied power over
The term "Laissez-faire" represents what belief about how the economy should be controlled?
The economy should be controlled not at all, it literally translates to "let it be" economics
This case decided that "soft money" could not be limited
Bonus: 100 points for also stating what part of the Constitution was used to justify the decision
Citizens United v. F.E.C, 1st Amendment - Freedom of Speech
The bicameral legislative branch that we have in the US today was a compromise between which proposals?
New Jersey & Virginia plan
Name three programs that are represented by the term "entitlements"
Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid
The term "Due Process" that tries to make sure those who are accused of a crime are treated fairly is tied to which amendments, and what do these amendments protect you from?
4th - Being searched illegally
5th - Self-incrimination
6th - Representing yourself in court
Most people in the US identify where politically?
Independent
____ are the larger areas where people in cities are grouped to vote, and _____ are the smaller areas made up of 500-1000 people where citizens actually find their polling place.
Ward, Precincts
(Everyone can earn points!) Name one difference between Federalist's and Anti-Federalists
Federalists - Large, central government
Anti-Federalists - Small, state governments, protect individual freedom
This court case decided that during reapportionment, districts should represent the idea of: "one person, one vote"
Baker v. Carr
Districts can be redrawn every 10 years (with census)
Messing with districts to help win is gerrymandering
In Schenck v. US, the majority decision dealt with what constitutional amendment, and how did it influence that right?
Freedom of Speech, limited during times of war if you are causing harm to military/government
As you go through your life there are factors that change what you think about politics, this is called?
Political Socialization
List three barriers that have been used historically to keep citizens from voting
Literacy Tests, Poll Tax, Grandfather clause, White primary
Give an example of federalism that exists in the U.S. right now
Bonus Points: (What is it called when States and the National government have the same power?)
States rebuild roads, federal government pays for highways.
Voting requirements differ by state, but the government upholds the right of all citizens to vote
Bonus: Concurrent Powers
This term is used to describe the concept that the decision of higher courts should influence the decisions of lower courts on similar cases
Precedent, Binding Precedent
Somewhat related: stare decisis - court cases in the past can influence future ones
This term is used to describe the power the 14th Amendment gave for the Bill of Rights to be applied to states
Selective Incorporation
These issues generally split people strongly based on their demographics
Wedge Issues
Name and explain the two terms that capture why individuals choose not to vote
Political Efficacy - My vote doesn't matter
Voter Apathy - Who cares about outcome
Implied powers arise from these three sections of the constitution:
Commerce clause, Necessary and Proper clause (elastic clause), Supremacy clause
What three powers does the bureaucracy have?
Enforcement and Fines - Making sure/punishing those who don't follow the rules
Compliance Monitoring - Making sure companies are following rules (inspectors)
Testifying before Congress - Congressional oversights meetings, or when Congress brings experts in for bill writing
It has been argued that certain underrepresented groups should be given more access to opportunities like college, employment. However, a 1978 court case decided that spots could not directly held for students of color. The term for this idea of promoting people of color is:
Affirmative Action
The Federal Reserve is a bureaucratic organization that deals with which types of policy?
Bonus: 200 points for each power you can name that they have
Monetary Policy
Bonus: Sell saving bonds, control printing/circulation of money, decide what percentage of money that banks must keep vs. loan out
Name three differences between PACs and Super-PACs
PACs: have limits on how much can be contributed, formed by interest groups, can work with campaigns/contribute to them, only individuals can give money
Super-PACs: Cannot work with campaigns, unlimited funding, can mostly spend on advertising only